Issue Date: 12/7/09
Video games and violence: Blame the Parents
By Jeremy Leal
There are many influences in a young person's life that can plant the seed of violence in their minds, but to solely place the blame for acts of aggression on a video game is simply absurd.
While yes, video games such as "Grand Theft Auto" (a game in which you are able to roam through various cities creating havoc in the streets and shooting cops) or "Resident Evil" (a game in which you may see a woman with a pitchfork stabbed through her face within the first minutes of play) go to violent extremities, they cannot be to blame for brutal acts that occur in the real world.Â
It is time for the blame to be placed on the true culprit: mothers, fathers and guardians.Â
The Entertainment Software Rating Board has created concise ratings that are placed on every video and computer game that is manufactured.
The rating of "M" for mature can be seen on many of the violent video games like "Grand Theft Auto" and "Resident Evil."Â
According to the rating board, a mature rating tells the buyer of the game that it contains "content that may be suitable for person's ages 17 and older … Titles in this category may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language."
This should set off signals in a parent's mind that maybe they should not let their child play the game. If they choose to allow their child to play the game despite the rating, they should at least explain the difference between fantasy and reality.Â
In some cases, a child has no adult authority in their life who can explain to them that a video game is in fact a game, which can lead to problems in that child's future.
He or she may believe that shooting cops and robbing banks is a perfectly normal way to lead his or her life. In this situation it is not the video game that is causing the violence, it is the child's outside environment.Â
There is nobody there to guide the gamer.
Some children do have a mother and a father at home but that doesn't mean they cannot still fall prey to violent behavior resulting from gaming. The parents may use the video game as a babysitter for the child.
When a child is overexposed to a game that, according to its ratings, he or she should not even be playing in the first place, of course the child may be overly influenced by the brutality and violence.
Stronger and stricter parenting is required in today's advanced technology age.
These types of video games are meant for a fun, a momentary release from reality. But games can be somewhat like a drug; if overused they can become addicting and a negative influence.
If parents are going to let their children play violent games, they also need to teach their children what the game is and set requirements on how much they can play it.
Parents must get more involved in their children's lives if we want to keep violence on the Xbox or Playstation and off the streets.
While yes, video games such as "Grand Theft Auto" (a game in which you are able to roam through various cities creating havoc in the streets and shooting cops) or "Resident Evil" (a game in which you may see a woman with a pitchfork stabbed through her face within the first minutes of play) go to violent extremities, they cannot be to blame for brutal acts that occur in the real world.Â
It is time for the blame to be placed on the true culprit: mothers, fathers and guardians.Â
The Entertainment Software Rating Board has created concise ratings that are placed on every video and computer game that is manufactured.
The rating of "M" for mature can be seen on many of the violent video games like "Grand Theft Auto" and "Resident Evil."Â
According to the rating board, a mature rating tells the buyer of the game that it contains "content that may be suitable for person's ages 17 and older … Titles in this category may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language."
This should set off signals in a parent's mind that maybe they should not let their child play the game. If they choose to allow their child to play the game despite the rating, they should at least explain the difference between fantasy and reality.Â
In some cases, a child has no adult authority in their life who can explain to them that a video game is in fact a game, which can lead to problems in that child's future.
He or she may believe that shooting cops and robbing banks is a perfectly normal way to lead his or her life. In this situation it is not the video game that is causing the violence, it is the child's outside environment.Â
There is nobody there to guide the gamer.
Some children do have a mother and a father at home but that doesn't mean they cannot still fall prey to violent behavior resulting from gaming. The parents may use the video game as a babysitter for the child.
When a child is overexposed to a game that, according to its ratings, he or she should not even be playing in the first place, of course the child may be overly influenced by the brutality and violence.
Stronger and stricter parenting is required in today's advanced technology age.
These types of video games are meant for a fun, a momentary release from reality. But games can be somewhat like a drug; if overused they can become addicting and a negative influence.
If parents are going to let their children play violent games, they also need to teach their children what the game is and set requirements on how much they can play it.
Parents must get more involved in their children's lives if we want to keep violence on the Xbox or Playstation and off the streets.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Worlds Hardest Game
posted 3/05/10 @ 5:58 PM PST
The rating systems these days are so flawed. I don't know what to do with this other than to play all the m rated games i can find.
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